We’re working with national and international organisations to save Taj, says Minister of Culture

We’re working with national and international organisations to save Taj, says Minister of Culture

Here's a look at an exclusive interview of Dr Mahesh Sharma, Union Minister of State for Culture (independent charge) and Minister of State for Environment, forest and climate.

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Damayanti Datta

Delhi July 21, 2018

ISSUE DATE: July 30, 2018

UPDATED: July 21, 2018 19:16 IST

Dr Mahesh Sharma, Union minister of state for
culture (independent charge) and minister of state for
environment, forest and climate.

Dr Mahesh Sharma, Union Minister of State for Culture (independent charge) and Minister of State for Environment, forest and climate, in a candid interview on the Taj with Executive Editor Damayanti Datta. Excerpts:

Q: With the Supreme Court taking a stern stand on the state of the Taj, what is your reaction? After all, your ministry is responsible for its upkeep.

A: The Taj Mahal is India's pride, the second most visited monument in South Asia and the sixth in the world. Hence, we are contemplating long-term measures for protecting and conserving the Taj. In June, senior officers, including the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India, those from the environment ministry, the Uttar Pradesh government, the TTZ [Taj Trapezium Zone], along with other stakeholders, met at a day-long meeting, where long-term and short-term measures for the protection of the Taj and Agra were discussed, especially making 500 metres around the Taj free of plastic pollution. We propose to hold further meetings with all the stakeholders, including the UP chief minister, very soon either in Delhi or Lucknow. We will take decisions for protection and showcasing the Taj in a time-bound manner.

Q: What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the Taj?

A: First, Agra's pollution, traffic and infrastructure are not in line with the importance of this monument. A major concern is the crematorium nearby, which is blowing carbon dust towards the Taj. The Yamuna is polluted, insects are thriving in it, dropping excreta on the marble and discolouring it. River pollution is a nationwide problem. The government has created a separate ministry for this and they are on board with us. We are working with national and international organisations to ensure the monument's long life.

Q: What are the initiatives you have taken?

A: Now that the same party is at the Centre and the state, work is definitely being done in a more cohesive manner. We have taken measures such as an interpretation centre, eating joints, cleanliness and battery-operated cars near the Taj. High-value ticket users are being given separate clean toilet facilities, kits with water bottles, information etc. when they enter. E-ticketing facility has been introduced by this government-people don't have to stand in a queue, they can buy tickets when they start from their country or home. We have restricted the time for visitors to three hours. Earlier people used to enter in the morning and sit there until late evening. We have been able to control the crowds. The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute recommended a restriction to the number of visitors to the Taj. So there is a separate Rs 200 ticket for people who want to visit the mausoleum. We have been cleaning the marble regularly; the multani mitti pack has shown good results.

Q: How is the funding of the Taj decided?

A: Any collection being done by the ASI at the Taj or any other monument goes to the consolidated fund of the country. Whatever we may collect there, we cannot use that money. The budget sanctioned by the GoI to the ministry of culture is utilised via the ASI. The budget has two components: one part goes to the ASI and the other to the Agra Development Authority via the state government. This fund is used by the ADA mostly in and around the Taj. There is no monument-specific budget, but the funds are released as per requirement.

Q: Why does the Taj not have a stakeholders' committee, essential for every world heritage site?

A: It is a good suggestion and we will take steps to involve public representatives and declare a stakeholders' committee for the Taj.